2008 Just the Rear Spoiler (paint) oxidizing ...anyone else?

Yes, this is happening on both my 2004 and 2007.

 

On my red 2008 only, not on the other ones

 

The fix is removal, sanding, primer, and repainting. I haven't done this yet and probably won't. I thought it was interesting that the oxidation is linear, perpendicular to the airflow. Maybe this has something to do with how the part was cast. It almost looks like what happens to regular unstabilized plastics exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The paint is sloughing off of my rear door handles also, mostly on the horizontal surfaces. The Arizona sun is exceptionally harsh.

 

Easy and fun fix with plastic dip! Remove spray and return


iPhone ?

 

Mine is also. 2005 and the plastic panel on the hatch. I plan on removing and prepping for paint, reinstall, and waiting for a car to go through the body shop at my dealership that needs black paint so they can spray it black and clearing it.

Better watch out, some people will want these recalled if too many are noticed fading. Lol.

 

I have same issue on my 2008, anyone has removal instructions for the spoiler?

 

I am having the same issue on my gold 2008 base model Prius. My spoiler paint is fading but the paint on the rest of the car is not. Clearly there is a problem with the paint, the painting process, or the spoiler materials. Even without the many people who have had this same problem, Toyota should clearly replace or repaint the spoiler on a car that has otherwise fine paint condition because they developed a faulty part. A couple of years ago, my rear door hatch button cover also started disintegrating in the heat and became hard (and cracked) in the cold, which is a problem that, apparently, many people have. I bought a Toyota with the expectation that workmanship would not be a problem. The least Toyota can do is cover the costs of repairing or replacing the components that they didn't properly test or manufacture.

IMG_7913 by Bjorn45 posted Jun 2, 2016 at 6:32 PM

 

The spoiler paint and coating was really bad on the 2006 blue Prius we had when we bought it two years ago. I was just making sure I always kept it clean and well waxed. The money was not in the budget to really do much about it. Since the car was broadsided and totaled a few month ago I'm glad we didn't repair it.

Fortunately our "new" red Prius doesn't have the issue. The problem on this one is the front end since the protective coating wasn't purchased by the previous owner. It has a bunch of tiny "dings" in the paint up there. At least it really isn't noticeable unless you're looking closely at the car.

 

My blue 2005 is definitely suffering from spoiler fade.

 

I'm having exactly the same problems (spoiler and rear door handles) as you, AzWxGuy. For what it's worth, my Prius has also lived under hot sun and high temps in both Arizona and Southern California.

 

Same problem on my 2008 blue Prius. For a cheap fix I applied a light solvent (WD40) to a small area and let it set for a few hours. I then very carefully scrapped off the oxidation with a fresh razor blade. The original finish and shine returned with only a few small gouges where the razor blade dug into the paint. I will follow-up with touch-up paint on the few gouges. Agree with you guys above that a good continuous wax job would have been the needed ounce of prevention.

 

My 07 has this same oxidation on just the rear spoiler. I have just left it be for now and am keeping an eye out for a deal on the touring spoiler in gray so I can replace it

 

Had the same issue only on the re-painted rear spoilers. Eventually I just replaced it with an used spoiler that had the OEM paint..

 

It isn't just a Prius issue. My Lexus RX400H 2008 has the same problem and I waxed it twice a year. The issue is the base material is different and it needs an epoxy primer applied to keep the base fibers from cracking/hazing through to the top coat. Toyota/Lexus should paint the spoilers separately with the proper primer coat. All the Lexus RX we see here in hot California have the same issue.

 

So, the issue is -- are there any tutorials on how to remove this part?
kris

 

Why bother with removing the spoiler? This YouTube video that shows you how to remove the oxidation with Lukat Fixit:

Takes a little elbow grease (or use of a drill with a polisher attachment), but so much easier than removing and repainting. I'm told it's UV that causes this, so you might want to spray it afterwards with a UV protectant, and follow up with the protectant every 6 months to a year. Not that hard.

 

There's actually no need to take the spoiler off or use a ton of elbow grease if all you are trying to do is restore the spoiler to match the rest of the car so the fading no longer shows. Our red Prius started having the problem and I just realized I hadn't posted how I fixed it. It was actually quite simple.

After lightly wet-sanding the top of the spoiler I used blue painter's tape and newspaper to make sure no overspray would get on the window or the rest of the car. A can of Dupli-Color Perfect Match in Barcelona Red was ordered from Auto Zone. I sprayed multiple light coats on the top of the spoiler. After all, it's only the top that is fading. I followed that with a light spraying of Dupli-Color Perfect Match Clear Top Coat and the job was done, on the car, in a day. All for less than $20. A year and a half later it still looks good and I still have a half a can of each should it have to be redone in the next couple of years.

If you're patient and careful, no one will ever notice you repainted only the top.